Optimization of a CMOS-MEMS Resonator for Applications of Relative Humidity Measurement

The mathematical modeling and the finite element analysis (FEA) of a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor-Microelectromechanical System (CMOS-MEMS) resonator has been presented. The resonator is designed based on 0.35 µm CMOS foundry fabrication technology. The sensing principle of the resonator is based on the change in resonance frequency of the CMOS-MEMS resonator due to adsorption/absorption or desorption of humidity on the active material layer of deposited on the moving plate that results in changes in the mass of the device. Simple analytical models of the CMOSMEMS resonator are generated to achieve estimates of the device performs. The effect of changes in lengths and widths of the beams on spring constant, resonance frequency, damping coefficient and quality factor (Q) are investigated. The spring constant is found to decrease with increase the lengths of the beam and increasing with increase the widths of the beam

Effect of sodium chloride concentration on the functional properties of selectec Legume flours

Providing safe, nutritious, and wholesome food for poor and undernourished populations has been a major challenge for developing countries. This has led to the necessity of assembling complete food composition tables, yielding information about the traditional foods and on the functional properties of the plant foods that are consumed regularly in the developing countries. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is the common salt used at household and industry levels to improve palatability of processed foods. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different concentrations of NaCl on the functional properties of selected legume flours. The effect of increasing concentration of NaCl on the protein solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties of white bean, pigeon pea, cowpea and hyacinth bean were studied. The results revealed that the protein solubility of pigeon pea, cowpea and white bean flours significantly increased by increasing salt concentration and reached a maximum at 0.4 M NaCl (for pigeon pea and cowpea flours) and 0.6 M for white bean flour and then gradually decreased at higher salt concentration. The protein solubility profile of hyacinth bean fluctuated with the salt concentration, with the highest solubility at 0.6 M NaCl and lowest solubility at 0.4M NaCl. With the exception of white bean, the maximum emulsifying activity of all selected legume flours was found at 0.4 M NaCl whereas that of white bean was found at 0.2 M NaCl. Generally, with increasing salt concentration, the emulsifying activity slightly decreased for the legume flours, except for cowpea which fluctuated. Addition of NaCl significantly decreased the emulsion stability and foaming capacity of the four of selected legume with the maximum improvement being observed at 0.2 M NaCl, and then decreasing gradually at higher salt concentration. Significant improvement of foaming stability was observed when salt concentration increased. Based on the results of the present study the selected legume flour demonstrated good functional properties following the addition of NaCl, which makes these legume flours potential ingredients for application in salt containing foods.Keywords: functional properties, Legumes, Protein solubilityAfrican Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Volume 12 No.

Enzymatic Study on the Microbial Degradation of Homocholine

This research was conducted to investigate the enzymatic activities in the degradation pathway of homocholine by bacterial strains isolated from the soil. Screening of the homocholine oxidation activity in the isolated strains, by replica staining method and spectrophotometric assay, showed that NAD+ - dependent dehydrogenase enzymes were predominant in all isolates. Furthermore, dried cell reaction of Pseudomonas sp. strain A9 cells with homocholine in the presence and absence of NAD+ demonstrated that the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of homocholine were alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases that require NAD+ as electron acceptor. Moreover, in the cell free extract of Pseudomonas sp. strain A9 an inducible NAD+ - dependent homocholine dehydrogenase was detected. The crude preparation of this enzyme has broad substrate specificity. Although various buffering conditions and stabilizing reagent were applied to stabilize the enzyme activity, the enzyme was unstable in vitro and lost its activity soon after and during the purification processes. Furthermore, an inducible NAD+ - dependent 3- hydroxypropionate dehydrogenase activity was also detected in the cell free extract of Pseudomonas sp. strain A9. This result indicated the presence of 3-hydroxypropionate as an intermediate metabolite in the degradation pathway of homocholine by this strain. Thus, in Pseudomonas sp. strain A9, homocholine is oxidized to trimethylaminopropionaldehyde by a NAD+-dependent homocholine dehydrogenase and consequently, trimethylaminopropionaldehyde oxidized to β-alanine betaine by a NAD+ - dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase. Thereafter, cleavage of β-alanine betaine C-N bond yielded trimethylamine and 3-hydroxypropionate (C-3 moiety). Thereafter, 3- hydroxypropionate was further oxidized to malonate semi-aldehyde by a NAD+ - dependent 3-hydroxypropionate dehydrogenase

Effect of Chicken Manure, N and P on Yield and Quality of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. Reticulatus Naud)

Two experiments were conducted at the National Institute for the Promotion of Horticultural Exports (NPÆ) Research Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan, during the summer of 20m and winter of 2000/2001, to study the effects of chicken manure, nitrogen and phosphorus on muskmelon yield and quality. The treatments were four levels of chicken manure (0, 4.5, 9 and 18t/ha), two levels of nitrogen (0 and 55kg N/ha) and two levels of phosphorus (0 and 55 kg P205/ha) arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The results showed that muskmelon growth, yield and quality were significantly affected by chicken manure, N and P application. The most vigorous plant growth, the highest fruit yield and the largest fruits with best netting and highest total soluble solids were obtained by the application of 18 tons of chicken manure with 55kg N and 55kg P205/ha

Expression Patterns Of Genes Encoding Antioxidative Enzymes In Date Palm(phoenix Dactylifera) In Response To Salinity Stress

Background Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses threatening crop productivity worldwide. Plants exposed to severe salinity suffer ionic toxicities, osmotic stress and oxidative damage that lead to inhibition of active photosynthesis, reduction of growth and cell death. Plants ability to detoxify reactive oxygen species (ROS, free radicals) and avoid oxidative damage is considered as one of the important mechanisms to cope with salinity. Accumulation of ROS causes oxidation of various cellular components, damage to DNA and proteins, and can lead to oxidative destruction of the cell. Detoxification of ROS in plant cells is controlled by a combination of antioxidants such as ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), and antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT). Antioxidative enzymes involved on the regeneration of AsA and GSH such as monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) are essential to maintain active pools of both antioxidants. Objectives: The aim of this work was to analyze the expression patterns of the date palm genes encoding antioxidative enzymes under various levels of salt stress. Material and methods: Similar plantlets of date palm cultivar (Khalas) were selected for all treatments in MS medium. Plantlets were subjected to various concentrations of NaCl (100mM, 200mM, 300mM and 400 mM) in addition to control. The expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR Results and Conclusions: The expression patterns of the date palm genes encoding antioxidative enzymes under various levels of salt stress was analyzed. Results showed that remarkable induction of PdCAT, PdGR, PdMDAR, PdSOD and PdAPX was observed. Highest induction of PdCAT and PdGR was observed at 100 mM NaCl while PdMDAR maintained its highest expression at up to 400 mM NaCl. Following salt exposure time course, all the genes maintained up-regulated expression levels up to 6 days compared to control conditions. Moreover, a high and steady induction of glutathione S-transferase (PdGST) was observed, the enzyme that plays key roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics compounds and oxidative stress mechanism. These results suggest that antioxidative enzymes involved in either ROS detoxification or antioxidants regeneration may play crucial roles in the tolerance of date palm to salt stress.qscienc

Gynecological Malignancies Managed in The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Wadmedani-Sudan During 1999-2005

Introduction: Gynecological malignancies (GMs) are one of the most prevalent cancers in Africa. Objective of this work is to review data of patients with GMs treated in Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Biology and Oncology (INMO)-University of Gezira -Wadmedani- Sudan, and reflect on characteristics of GMs in Central Sudan. Material and Methods: A retrospective hospital-based descriptive study was conducted to review GMs patients records treated in INMO from year 1999-2005. Analysis included age, residence, stage, topography and morphology of the cancer. Results: During study period GMs constituted about 20.5 percent of all women malignancies and it is the second commonest female cancer preceded by breast (36.7%). Most of the patients were housewives from rural areas of Gezira and nearby States.  The sites were ovary, 41%, cervix, 34%, uterus, 13.8%, uterine choriocarcinoma, 7.9%, vulva cancer, 2.9% and no single case of vaginal carcinoma was reported. The mean age of all patients was 52.45 years, Median age for ovarian cancer was, 50, cervix 55, uterus 55, Choriocarcinoma of the uterus 35 and vulva 60 years of age. Almost all varieties of histopathological types were seen. Fifty eight percent of patients presented with stage III & IV. Conclusions: GMs are common and present in late stages. The commonest GMs was ovarian cancer which affect relatively young patients. Cervix was the second common site and affect relatively older age group. Vulvar cancer was relatively rare and vaginal cancer was not seen. For the improvement of the outcome early detection, management guidelines and financial support are highly recommended

Effect of compost and urea nitrogen on growth and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and on some properties of the Gezira soil

       Compost is stable humus like product resulting from biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of compost with urea nitrogen on some soil properties, growth and yield of sweet pepper. This study comprised a number of experimentations conducted over two consecutive seasons (2009/10-2010/11) at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira and laboratories of CIRAD in France. Compost was applied at 0, 10 and 20 t ha-1 combined with N at 0, 43 and 86 kg ha-1 in the form of urea. The results showed that application of compost alone or in combination with urea nitrogen improved soil properties and hence growth and yield of sweet pepper. Improvement of those parameters was more pronounced when the urea and compost were combined, especially at the higher rates. Combination of urea and compost presumably improved availability of nitrogen from the organic source to sweet pepper and, therefore, positively affected growth and yield of the crop. The extent of improvement was less when urea nitrogen and organic manures were applied in the same season. Hence, it could be recommended to fertilize sweet pepper with compost and urea at the rate of 86 kg N/ ha

Knowledge and Attitude among Doctors towards Use of Prophylactic Vitamin K in Neonatal Bleeding Disorders in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Experience from Haj El-Safi Hospital, Sudan

Background: Vitamin K is crucial for neonates to prevent bleeding disorders. Raising awareness of vitamin K use would show positive outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of prophylactic use of vitamin K for bleeding disorders in neonates among doctors working in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Haj El-Safi Hospital, Sudan.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2019, involving 36 doctors selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected by an interview-based questionnaire designed to measure the knowledge level of doctors toward vitamin K deficiency classification and interactions, guidelines availability and adherence, and parents counseling. Data were analyzed and presented in tables. Results: The doctors involved in this study were 36, including 7 registrars, 6 medical officers, 23 house officers, mostly aged 20–25 years (n=29), and female (n=27). The level of knowledge about the classification of vitamin K deficiency and the interaction of vitamin K with other drugs among doctors was mostly good (n=14 and n=15, respectively). Registrars were the most in the good category (n=6, and n=7, respectively). Most doctors (n=23) were aware of vitamin K guidelines, while only 15 have continuous adherence, 16 of doctors counseled parents about the importance of prophylactic vitamin K.Conclusion: The level of knowledge towards prophylactic vitamin K use in neonatal bleeding disorders among doctors in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Haj El-Safi Hospital is good

Teška Auzdyk infekcija u jednomjesečnih devinih mladunaca (Camelus dromedarius).

On 11 March 2002 two approximately one-month-old, one-humped camel calves (C. dromedarius) were presented to the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, King Faisal University, Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia (SA), suffering from severe lesions on the lips and hard palates. Samples were collected and virological, pathological and serological investigations were carried out. The disease was confirmed to be Auzdyk. The situation was discussed in relation to the severity of the disease, a condition seen for the first time in this country, in these very young camels,. The results confirmed that fairly young camel calves, 1-month old, can suffer a severe form of the disease.Na sveučilišnu veterinarsku kliniku King Faisal Sveučilišta u Saudijskog Arabiji (SA), dovedena su dva mladunca jednogrbih deva u dobi od približno mjesec dana s jako izraženim lezijama na usnama i tvrdom nepcu. Uzeti su uzorci kako bi se obavile virološka, patološka i serološka pretraga. Potvrđeno je da je riječ o Ausdyk infekciji. Razmatrana je jačina bolesti i njena pojava u mladih deva po prvi put u ovoj zemlji. Rezultati potvrđuju da i sasvim mlade deve, stare mjesec dana, mogu oboljeti s jako izraženim znakovima bolesti